Nectarine tree named ‘Burnectfive’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica ), and which is denominated varietally as ‘Burnectfive’ and which produces an attractively colored yellow-fleshed clingstone nectarine which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately May 15, to May 23 under ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Burnectfive’.

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety ofnectarine tree, Prunus persica var (nucipersica), which has beendenominated varietally as ‘Burnectfive’. The present variety ofnectarine tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut treebreeding. The purposes of this program is to improve the commercialquality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties and rootstocks by creatingand releasing promising selections of prunus, malus and regia species.To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations eachyear in order to produce seedling populations from which improvedprogenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘Burnectfive’ was originated by us from a population ofseedlings grown in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif.The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were the result of an openpollinated cross of the nectarine tree ‘Mayfire’ (non-patented) whichwas used as the seed parent. The pollen parent is an unknown nectarinevariety. One seedling, which is the present variety, exhibitedespecially desirable characteristics, and was marked for subsequentobservation. After the 1997 growing season, the new, variety wasselected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of nectarine treewas achieved by budding same to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented).This was performed by us in our experimental orchard located nearFowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations have shown that those asexualreproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of theoriginal tree, and its fruit were established, and appeared to betransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burnectfive’ is a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which isof medium to large size, has vigorous growth, and is a regular andproductive bearer of large, firm, yellow flesh, semi-freestone fruitwith good flavor and eating quality. The tree has a medium-chillingrequirement of approximately 550 hours. The tree also producesrelatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree, with a high degreeof red skin color, and firm flesh. The fruit appears to have goodhandling and shipping quality. The ‘Burnectfive’ nectarine tree bearsfruit that is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment onapproximately May 15 to May 25 under ecological conditions prevailing inCentral California. In comparison to the seed parent ‘Mayfire’Nectarine, the new variety ripens about 12 or more days later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph which depicts acharacteristic twig bearing typical leaves; a dorsal view of a singleleaf, four whole fruit sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment;and a fifth fruit which has been cut in half along the suture with thepit being left in one of the halves. The four whole fruit which areshown, beginning from the top right and moving clockwise, illustrate alateral view showing the suture; a lateral view showing the apex or tip;a lateral view showing the stem; and a lateral view showing thehemisphere opposite the suture. The colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color photograph of this type. However, due tochemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruitdepicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when comparedto the actual botanical specimen. For this reason, future colorreferences should be made to the color plates (Royal HorticulturalSociety) and descriptions provided hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedduring the fourth fruiting season under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Fowler, county ofFresno, state of California. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

Tree:

Size.—Generally. — Considered medium large as compared to other commoncommercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the mid season of maturity.The tree was pruned to a height of approximately 314.8 cm to 386.7 cm atmaturity for economic harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Moderately vigorous. The present variety grew from about 141.0 cmto 195.7 cm in height during the first growing season. The variety waspruned to an approximate height of 106.7 cm during the first dormantseason and primary scaffolds were then selected for the desired treestructure.

Productivity.—Considered productive. Fruit set varies but isapproximately two times or more than the desired crop load. Fruit set isspaced by thinning to develop into the desired market sized fruit.Number of fruit set varies with climatic conditions and prevailingcultural practices during the bloom period.

Bearer.—Regular. Fruit set has been heavy, and thinning was necesssaryduring the past 4 years.

Form.—Upright, and pruned to a vase shape.

Density.—Medium dense. It has been discovered that pruning the branchesfrom the center of the tree to obtain a vase shape allows for airmovement and sunlight to enhance fruit color and renewal of fruitingwood throughout the tree.

Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA HardinessZone 9. Winter chilling requirements are approximately 550 hours below7.0 degrees C. The variety appears to be hardy under typical Central SanJoaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Trunk:

Diameter.—Approximately 14.0 cm in diameter when measured at a distanceof approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level, at the end of the fifthgrowing season.

Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of paperyscarfskin being present.

Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The lenticels range insize in size from approximately 2.0 to 5.0 millimeters in width, andfrom 1 to 2 millimeters in height.

Lenticel color.—Considered an Orange Brown. (RHS Greyed-Orange N172 A).Bark Coloration — Variable, but it is generally considered to be agrey-brown (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177 A).

Branches:

Size.—Considered medium for the variety.

Diameter.—Average as compared to other varieties. The branches have adiameter of about 72.0 millimeters when measured during the fourth yearafter grafting.

Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which isseveral years old.

Crotch angles.—Primary branches considered variable between about 45 to49 degrees from the horizontal axis. This characteristic is notdistinctive of the variety, however.

Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially glabrous.

Internode length.—Approximately 2.3 to 2.4 cm.

Color of mature branches.—Medium brown, (RHS Grey Brown Group N199C).

Current seasons shoots.—Color. — Light green, (RHS Green Group 143 A).The color of new shoot tips is considered as a bright and shiny green(RHS Green Group 134 B).

Leaves:

Size.—Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements have beentaken from vigorous upright current season growth at approximatelymid-shoot.

Leaf length.—Approximately 150 to 165 millimeters.

Leaf width.—Approximately 35 to 40 millimeters.

Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinalaxis.

Leaf form.—Lanceolate.

Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.

Leaf color.—Dark green, (RHS Green Group 137 A).

Leaf texture.—Glabrous.

Lower surface.—Medium green, (RHS Green Group 137 D).

Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.

Mid-ivein.—Color. — Light yellow green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 144 B).

Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.

Form.—Considered crenate, occasionally doubly crenate.

Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.

Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium long to long. Length. — 9.0 toabout 12.0 mm. Diameter. — 1.5 to about 2.5 mm. Color. — Pale green,(RHS Yellow Green Group 144 D).

Leaf glands.—Size. — 1.0 mm in height and about 1.0 to 2.0 mm in width.Numbers. — Generally one per side, occasionally two per side. Type. —Reniform, and considered reasonably unappressed to the petiole margin.Color. — Greenish brown (RHS Yellow Green Group144 B).

Leaf stipules.—Size. — Medium large for the variety. Number. — Typically2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per shoot tip. Form. — Lanceolate in formand having a serrated margin. Color. — Green (RHS Green Group 132 A)when young, but graduating to a yellow-brown color (RHS Grey Orangegroup 177 A) with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered tobe early deciduous.

Flowers:

Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds are considered to be large, 15millimeters wide and 21 millimeters long; conic in form; and slightlyappressed relative to the bearing shoot.

Flower buds.—Color — The bud scales are gray-brown, (approximately RHSGreyed Purple Group 183 A). The buds are considered hardy under typicalcentral San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Hardiness.—No winter injury has been noted during the last several yearsof evaluation in the Central San Joaquin Valley. The current variety hasnot been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress and thereforethis information is not available.

Date of first bloom.—Feb. 22, 2000.

Blooming time.—Considered early in relative comparison to othercommercial nectarine cultivars growing in the Central San JoaquinValley. The date of full bloom was observed on Mar. 2, 2000. Date ofbloom varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.

Flower size.—Flower diameter at full blom is approximately 31.0 to 36.0millimeters.

Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.

Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 appear per node.

Petal size.—Generally — Considered medium large to large for thespecies. Length. — Approximately 16.0 to 19.0 millimeters. Width. —Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.

Petal form.—Broadly ovate.

Petal count.—Nearly always 5.

Petal texture.—Glabrous.

Petal color.—Light pink when young, (RHS Red Purple Group 65 B), anddarkening with advancing senescence and exposure to sunlight to a mediumto dark pink (RHS Red Purple Group 65 A).

Fragrance.—Slight.

Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered truncate and has amedium-large size when compared to other varieties. Length. —Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 6.0 to 8.0millimeters.

Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth, tomoderately undulate and ruffled, especially apically.

Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear slightly domed.

Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium-long, and having an averagelength of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Diameter. — Consideredaverage, approximately 2.0 millimeters. Color. — A medium Green (RHS —Grey Brown Group N199 D).

Floral nectaries.—Color. — A dull orange-gold (RHS Greyed Red Group 178B).

Calyx.—Surface Texture. — Generally glabrous. Color. — A dull red,(approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 183 A).

Sepals.—Surface texture. — The surface has a short, fine, wooly andsparse texture. Size. — Average, and ovate in form. Color. — A dull red,(approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 178 A).

Anthers.—Generally. — Average to above average in length. Color. — Redto reddish-orange dorsally, (approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 179A).

Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color,(approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 17 B).

Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 13.0millimeters in length. Color. — White, (RHS Red Purple Group 62 D).

Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1, rarely 2. Generally. — Average in size.Length. — Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters including the ovary.Color. — Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS Yellow GreenGroup 151 D). Surface Texture — glabrous.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe); Date offirst picking, — May 15, 2000; Date of last picking, — May 23, 2000. Thedate of harvest varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Size.—Generally — Medium large, and considered uniform.

Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 73.0 to 75.0 millimeters.

Average axial diameter.—Approximately 71.0 to 73.0 millimeters.

Typical weight.—Approximately 231.0 grams. This is highly dependent oncultural practices and is therefore not distinctive of the variety.

Fruit form.—Generally — Moderately oblate. The fruit is generallyuniform in symmetry.

Fruit suture.—Shallow, occasionally lipped, and which extends from thebase to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along thesuture line.

Suture.—Color — This appears to be a yellow to golden yellow backgroundcolor, (approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 26 B) and further havingsome red orange coloration (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B).

Ventral surface.—Form — Slightly indented.

Apex.—Rounded.

Base.—Retuse.

Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in the suture plane. Averagedepth of the stem cavity is about 1.15 cm. Average width is about 2.31cm.

Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered medium in thickness, and tenaciousto the flesh. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste. — Non-astringent. Tendency tocrack. — None observed.

Fruit skin color.—Blush Color. — The blush color is a variable dark red,(approximately RHS Red Group 46 A to 45 B). Ground Color. — Yelloworange (approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 26 B).

Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 8.0 millimeters.Diameter. — Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. Color. — Paleyellow-green (approximately RHS Yellow Green Group 145 B).

Flesh.—Ripens. — Evenly. Texture. — Firm and dense. Fibers. — Few, smalland tender. Aroma. — Very slight. Eating quality. — Very good. Flavor. —Considered sweet and mildly acidic. The flavor is considered bothpleasant and balanced. Juice. — Moderate. Brix. — 12.0 degrees. Variesslightly with the number of fruit per tree, prevailing culturalpractices and surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — Paleyellow, (approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 20 A).

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Considered medium for the variety.

Length.—Average, about 22.0 to 24.0 millimeters.

Width.—Average, about 21.0 to 22.0 millimeters.

Diameter.—Average, about 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.

Form.—Obovoid.

Base.—The stone is usually rounded, but may vary from rounded tostraight.

Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is raised and has an acute, short tip.

Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Irregularly furrowed toward the apex;and pitted toward the base. The stone exhibits substantial pittinglaterally. Substantial grooving over the apical shoulders is evident.Surface pitting is prominent generally, and more frequently, it ispresent basally. Ridges. — Surface texture varies from sharp to rounded.Ventral Edge. — Width — Considered medium, and having a dimension ofapproximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters at approximately mid-suture. Thewings are most prominent over the basal area. Dorsal Edge. — Shape. —Full, heavily grooved, and having jagged edges. The dorsal edge ismoderately eroded over the apical shoulder.

Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is a light straw colored yellow,(approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 18 C.)

Tendency to split.—Few but very infrequent splitting noted.

Kernel.—Size. — Length — 17.0 mm.; Width — 12.0 mm.; Thickness — 3.0millimeters. Form. — Obovoid. Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — (RHSOrange White 159 C). The kernel and its embryo are immature at the timeof fruit maturity.

Use.—The subject variety ‘Burnectfive’ is considered to be a Nectarineof the early-season maturity, and which produces fruit which are veryfirm, attractively colored, and which are useful for both local and longdistance shipping.

Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit has stored well up to 21 days afterharvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.

Shipping quality.—Good. Fruit showed minimal bruising of the flesh orskin damage after normal harvest and packing procedures.

Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular susceptibilities werenoted. The present variety has not been tested to detect for anysusceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or fruitdiseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia, it will be understood that variations of the usual magnitudeand characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are tobe expected.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety nectarine tree,what we claim is new and desire to secure by Plant Letters Patent is: 1.A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as tonovelty by producing an attractively colored yellow-fleshed clingstonenectarine which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately May15 to May 23 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the SanJoaquin Valley of Central California.